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As a teacher, your lesson plan is your road map. It’s how you plan what your students need to learn and ensure that learning is done effectively. However, even the best-laid plans can go awry. If you find yourself short on planning time or in sudden need of a sub, consider these free lesson plans and resources for your next substitute teacher.
Each resource can be adapted to work for different Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses. Many can be adapted for in-person or remote instruction.
Key Takeaways
Teachers Pay Teachers offers a wide variety of lesson plans created by educators for educators, ensuring quality and relevance.
Education.com provides comprehensive resources including lesson plans, worksheets, and printable materials suitable for various subjects.
Scholastic is a trusted name in education, offering lesson plans, activities, and teaching strategies for substitute teachers.
Share My Lesson features a community-driven platform where educators share their best practices and lesson plans.
Khan Academy is an excellent resource for free, high-quality educational videos and practice exercises across numerous subjects.
Teachers Pay Teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers is a fantastic resource for substitute teachers looking for high-quality lesson plans. Browse worksheets for substitute teachers on this platform, which is trusted by millions of educators.
You'll find a variety of resources that cater to different subjects and grade levels, ensuring that you can keep your students engaged and learning effectively.
Creative Spark
Discover top lesson plan ideas for elementary substitute teachers. Substitute teaching can be made engaging with interactive activities, arts, PE, social skills, and technology integration. This section is perfect for those who want to add a creative spark to their teaching methods.
Premium Resources
For those looking to invest a bit more, Teachers Pay Teachers offers premium resources that are well worth the cost. These resources are often more detailed and come with additional support materials to make your teaching experience smoother.
Self-Care
Teaching can be stressful, and it's important to take care of yourself. This section offers tips and resources for maintaining your well-being while managing a classroom. From mindfulness exercises to time management strategies, you'll find valuable advice here.
Home Learning
In today's world, the ability to facilitate home learning is crucial. Teachers Pay Teachers provides resources that can easily be adapted for remote education, ensuring that your students continue to learn effectively, no matter where they are.
Education.com
Education.com is a versatile platform that offers a wide range of educational resources for substitute teachers. With a vast library of lesson plans, worksheets, and activities, substitutes can keep your students learning in your absence by using these engaging lessons. The platform is designed to cater to various subjects and grade levels, ensuring that you can find the right material for your classroom needs.
Reading Literature
Education.com provides comprehensive lesson plans for reading literature. These plans are designed to engage students and enhance their understanding of various literary elements. You can find activities that focus on character analysis, plot development, and thematic exploration.
Long Division
For math-focused lessons, Education.com offers detailed plans on long division. These lessons include step-by-step instructions and practice worksheets to help students grasp this essential math skill. The resources are tailored to different learning paces, making it easier for substitutes to manage diverse classrooms.
One-Day Sub Plans
One of the standout features of Education.com is its one-day sub plans. These plans are perfect for unexpected absences, providing a full day of structured activities and lessons. Each plan includes a mix of subjects, ensuring that students remain engaged and productive throughout the day.
Scholastic
Scholastic offers a wide range of specialized resources for substitute teachers, ensuring you have everything you need to keep the classroom running smoothly. From substitute teacher guides to lesson plans, classroom management tips, and emergency procedures, these resources ensure continuity, engagement, and effective learning.
Elementary ELA
Scholastic provides comprehensive resources for Elementary ELA, including:
Reading
Writing
Phonics
Vocabulary
Grammar
Spelling
Poetry
ELA test prep
Middle School ELA
For middle school, you can find materials on:
Literature
Informational text
Writing
Creative writing
Writing-essays
ELA test prep
High School ELA
High school resources cover:
Literature
Informational text
Writing
Creative writing
Writing-essays
ELA test prep
Planning
Scholastic also offers planning tools such as:
Awards & Certificates
Back-to-School Headquarters
Blog Articles
Bulletin Boards
Classroom Activities
Classroom Forms
Classroom Passes & Notes
Games
Graphic Organizers
Graphs & Charts
Lesson Plans
Literature Guides
Mini-Lessons
Project-based Learning
Rubrics
Themed Packets
Videos & Activities
Worksheets
Educator's Calendar
Share My Lesson
Share My Lesson is a comprehensive platform offering 100+ substitute teacher lesson plans for all grades and subjects. This resource is designed to support substitute teachers with a variety of tools and materials, ensuring they can step into any classroom with confidence.
Home Learning
The platform provides resources for home learning, making it easier for substitute teachers to continue education outside the traditional classroom setting.
Self-Care
Recognizing the importance of self-care, Share My Lesson includes materials to help substitute teachers manage stress and maintain their well-being.
Premium Resources
For those looking for more advanced materials, the site offers premium resources that can be accessed with a subscription.
For Schools
Schools can also benefit from Share My Lesson by integrating its resources into their curriculum, ensuring a seamless transition when a substitute teacher is needed.
Individual Plans
Substitute teachers can create individual plans tailored to their specific needs and the needs of their students.
School Plans
Schools can subscribe to school plans, providing access to a wide range of resources for all their substitute teachers.
ReadWriteThink
ReadWriteThink is a treasure trove for substitute teachers looking for high-quality lesson plans. The platform offers a wide range of free resources that cover various subjects and grade levels. Whether you're teaching elementary school or high school, you'll find something useful here.
Free Unit for Lord of the Flies
One standout resource is the free unit for Lord of the Flies. This comprehensive unit includes lesson plans, activities, and assessments that make it easy to engage students in this classic novel.
Navigating the Day
Effective substitute teaching involves more than just following a lesson plan. ReadWriteThink provides strategies for seamless instruction, classroom management, and student engagement. These tips can help you navigate the day smoothly and ensure instructional continuity.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a fantastic resource for substitute teachers looking for comprehensive lesson plans. Khan Academy's professional learning team has created a variety of tutorials to help you get started quickly. These tutorials cover subjects like ELA, math, social studies, and science, ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed in the classroom.
Comprehensive Subject Coverage
Khan Academy offers lessons across a wide range of subjects. Whether you're teaching elementary, middle, or high school, you'll find resources tailored to each grade level. From basic operations in math to advanced topics like calculus and trigonometry, Khan Academy has you covered.
Interactive Learning Tools
One of the standout features of Khan Academy is its interactive learning tools. These tools make it easier for students to grasp complex concepts through engaging activities and exercises. This is particularly useful for substitute teachers who may need to quickly adapt to a new classroom environment.
Free and Accessible
Khan Academy is completely free, making it an accessible option for all educators. The platform's commitment to providing high-quality education at no cost is a significant advantage, especially for schools with limited budgets.
Easy to Use
The platform is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to navigate through various subjects and grade levels with ease. This ensures that you can focus more on teaching and less on figuring out how to use the platform.
Professional Development
Khan Academy also offers professional development resources to help you improve your teaching skills. These resources are designed to help you become a more effective educator, making it easier to manage your classroom and deliver high-quality lessons.
Edutopia
Edutopia is a treasure trove of resources for substitute teachers. The platform offers a wide range of articles, videos, and guides that cover various aspects of teaching and classroom management. Whether you're looking for innovative teaching strategies or tips on managing a classroom, Edutopia has you covered.
Articles and Videos
Edutopia provides a plethora of articles and videos that can help you become a more effective substitute teacher. From classroom management techniques to engaging lesson plans, you'll find valuable insights that can be easily implemented in any classroom setting.
Teaching Strategies
One of the standout features of Edutopia is its focus on innovative teaching strategies. You can explore creative ideas like a storytelling relay, math scavenger hunt, and nature observation. These activities are designed to be engaging for students of all grades and require minimal supplies.
Professional Development
Edutopia also offers resources for professional development. Whether you're new to teaching or a seasoned educator, you'll find courses and webinars that can help you improve your skills and stay updated with the latest educational trends.
Substitute Teacher's Survival Kit
Preparing for a substitute teaching assignment doesn’t need to take hours, but experienced substitutes often have a bag of tricks that they know they can use when they need to. Here are the most important tips for things to include in your teacher survival kit, from a teacher who struggled with burnout.
15 Essentials for Your Teacher Survival Kit
Map of the School
School Emergency Procedures
Relevant Student Behavior or Issues
Students with Special Accommodations
Health Concerns
Names of Teachers and Staff
Information About Additional Responsibilities
Access to Games and Activities
The School Library
High School Survival Kits
Browse high school survival kits resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original content. This can be a great place to find specialized resources tailored to older students.
SubHub
SubHub is a fantastic resource for substitute teachers looking for comprehensive lesson plans and activities. One of the standout features of SubHub is its collection of emergency substitute lesson plans. These plans are designed to be ready-to-go, ensuring that you can step into any classroom with confidence.
Emergency Lesson Plans
SubHub offers a variety of emergency lesson plans, including first grade zoo lessons. These lessons are intended for use as one-day emergency substitute teacher lesson plans. They can be downloaded by a classroom teacher to keep in a sub folder, making them easily accessible when needed.
Quick Activities
When you find yourself with extra time, SubHub has you covered with 50 quick activities. These activities are perfect for filling in gaps and keeping students engaged.
BusyTeacher.org is a fantastic resource for substitute teachers looking for ready-to-use lesson plans and classroom activities. With a wide range of subjects covered, you can find materials for Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and more. The site also offers a variety of teacher printables, including worksheets, graphic organizers, and classroom labels.
Teacher Printables by Topics
All About Me
Anger Management
Bookmarks
Brain Teasers
Bullying
Calendars
Class Games
Classroom Labels
Coping Skills
Cut and Paste
File Folders
First Day of School
Goal Setting
Learning Styles
Lesson Plan Templates
Life Skills
Newsletter Templates
Relationships
Respect
Report Card Comments
Scavenger Hunts
Self Esteem
Social Skills
Stress
Study Skills
Substitute Teacher Worksheets
Teacher Forms
Substitute Teacher Resources
BusyTeacher.org offers a dedicated section for substitute teacher resources. Here, you can find lesson plans specifically designed for substitute teachers, ensuring that you are well-prepared for any classroom situation. The resources are created and vetted by certified and current classroom teachers, making them reliable and effective.
Special Needs and Study Skills
The site also provides resources for special needs education and study skills. Whether you need materials for teaching students with special needs or tips for improving study skills, BusyTeacher.org has you covered. Additionally, you can find advice on teacher-parent collaboration and other teaching tips to enhance your classroom experience.
Home Learning and Self-Care
In addition to classroom resources, BusyTeacher.org offers materials for home learning and self-care. These resources are perfect for supporting students outside the classroom and ensuring their well-being. The site also provides premium resources and plans for schools, making it a comprehensive tool for any Busybee Teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some free lesson plans and resources for substitute teachers?
There are many free lesson plans and resources available for substitute teachers, including materials for Math, English Language Arts, Graphic Organizers, Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Languages.
How can I prepare my class for a substitute teacher?
You can prepare your class by providing substitute teacher printables and references, such as emergency contact information, directions, and a daily schedule. Lesson planning kits with icebreakers and educational activities can also be helpful.
What essential resources should substitute teachers have?
Essential resources for substitute teachers include a map of the school, emergency procedures, information on student behavior and special accommodations, health concerns, names of teachers and staff, additional responsibilities, and access to games and activities.
What should a substitute lesson plan include?
A substitute lesson plan should be simplified and easy to understand. It should include key elements such as objectives, materials needed, step-by-step instructions, and any special notes for the substitute teacher.
Where can I find printable survival kits for substitute teachers?
Printable survival kits for substitute teachers can be found on various educational resource websites. These kits often include ready-to-use templates and tools to help substitutes manage the classroom effectively.
How can I ensure a smooth transition for a substitute teacher?
To ensure a smooth transition, provide clear and detailed lesson plans, classroom management resources, and feedback forms to gather information about the substitute's experience. Communicating with the substitute teacher beforehand can also help address any questions or concerns.